U.S. Men

Rabil Readying for Final Team USA Push

Paul Rabil was MVP of the Team
USA gold run four years ago in England. After sitting for much of
the fall team work while rehabbing after surgery, he's ready for
January's Champion Challenge. (John Strohsacker)

Four years ago, Paul Rabil left the field in Manchester having
led Team USA to a gold medal at the FIL World Championships,
earning the Best and Most Fair honors and All-World status at
midfield. This September, after battling through torn abdominal
muscles for much of the MLL season with Boston, the big middie
underwent surgury and has been rehabbing ever since, preparing for
the upcoming Champion Challenge.

We caught up with Paul in Baltimore for a story previewing the
event in the January issue of Lacrosse Magazine. This interview
includes information that didn't make it in to the print
edition.

So you underwent surgery in early September – what
percentage would you say you’re at right now in terms of
being ready for Champion Challenge?

The ‘percentage’ thing is always tough [to
quantify]. I’ve had several conversations with my coaches and
trainers, and physically, I’m back to 100%. I can’t
wait to get back out there this January!

My muscle has recovered. Recently, I haven’t been
limited in my workouts [starting in November], from sled pushes, to
resistance-band sprints, to 300’s or circuit training,
I’ve been able to accomplish it.

It's as much about getting back to fitness as it is muscle
recovery – and that's not easy to do as a professional
athlete. But once the lights go on, I've never had any lack of
confidence in trusting my body.

What has it been like to have to be on the shelf for
most of the pre-Champion Challenge team work?

I think if you ask any athlete that has to sit on the sideline
and watch their teammates play while they're injured, that's the
toughest thing to do. You want to be a part of those hard workouts,
sweating with the team and helping the team grow. It's unique to
sports that so much of the hard work is done in practice.

You don't really 'look forward' to it, but when you sit out
because of an injury, you realize pretty quickly how much you miss
that kind of opportunity.

Has there been any benefit to having to work on the team
building in a non-participatory way?

In all honesty, it's given me perspective. I've taken pride in
growing in more of a leadership role and being able to talk to my
teammates on the sideline between shifts. Understanding how my
teammates act and react will help each of us play together.

What is the development in leadership on a team like
this like? Do you think your experience in Manchester and MVP
performance makes you 'that guy' by default?

I think everybody who makes it as far as this knows what Team
USA is all about and what we're up against. Everyone has been a
leader, has won championships, and has been successful at all
levels. I don't attempt to stand out because of my previous
experiences with Team USA – I try to engage players at every
position and pump passion to help build chemistry with this
team.

What would you say is the team's goal for Champion
Challenge?

We've talked a lot about mentality. The most important thing to
come out of [the tryout process] with is the best opportunity to
win [in Denver].

Obviously, we have to make sure we continue to grow and develop
as a unit and hopefully not have guys worrying about whether or not
they'll be making the team. I thought over our second weekend in
Philadelphia, it was great chance to see the guys really starting
to put together that kind of chemistry.

For a Team USA roster, there's a ton of collaboration –
everybody on the field has the ability to do a lot of stuff on
their own, but it's all about accomplishing the team goal by using
everybody's unique set of skills....together.

It's a different coaching staff for 2014 than the 2010
staff (led by head coach Mike Pressler). Has the experience so far
been different with Coach Meade?

Yes and no. You're talking about two of the best coaches that
have worked in the college ranks and are both phenomenal leaders.
They both choose words carefully and are incredibly impactful.
Neither just stands in front of the team and talks to make a point,
everything is precise and for a reason. Everything trickles down
from the top.

Obviously there are many nations at this summer's
tournament, but Canada is your arch-rival and biggest challenger.
Is this team being built to beat them, or just built as the best
Team USA for any opponent?

It's probably a combination – putting together any team
you need to have the right kind of role players, and that's going
to be applicable whether you're playing Canada, the Iroquois,
Australia or whoever.

The coaches have been more involved than any staff I've ever had
since day one – making early calls, checking in that you're
on the program and on point. They're well aware of how they want to
craft the team, and are using this phase to develop everyone's
talent and mold that to what they want the team to be.

Is it tough to know that Denver and the shot to defend
the gold is still months away?

Individually, I'd be ready to go to Denver tomorrow, but there's
a lot of development that we have to do as a team, no matter who
makes the final roster. And that time is cherished and valued. I
can't wait to spend time with the guys in January.

Having such success four years ago as MVP, are you
feeling any pressure to come back this summer and put up a similar
performance?

There's no pressure for me to earn individual accolades. The
ultimate goal is to get out there and win a championship with your
team, and every step along the way is what makes it worth it. I've
cherished every step so far [in this process], even sidelined with
an injury. I'm just excited.